Gosuke Katoh Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Gosuke John Katoh
Born 10/08/1994 in Poway, CA
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Rancho Bernardo
Debut 04/09/2022
Drafted in the 2nd round (66th overall) by the New York Yankees in 2013 (signed for $845,700).

View Draft Report

Katoh opened eyes at the Area Code Games last summer, ripping a triple off the right-field wall at cavernous Blair Field. His stock continued to rise during a big senior year this spring, and he was batting .451 with 12 doubles and eight home runs, belying his reputation as a contact-oriented hitter. In the past, Katoh showed a tendency to hit everything to the opposite field, but he has sneaky strength in his wiry frame and could grow into fringe-average power. He's a tough out with a knack for putting the ball in play. When he hits the ball on the ground, his plus speed gives him a good chance to beat out infield singles. Katoh is the rare high school second baseman who's a legitimate pro prospect. His below-average arm is inadequate for shortstop but playable at second. His excellent athleticism is also an asset at second, where he has good range, smooth actions, sure hands and a quick release. Katoh is a good student who is committed to UCLA and regarded as a tough sign, so he was generating top-three-rounds buzz late in the spring, though the scouting consensus has him lower.

Top Rankings

A UCLA signee and friend of Yankees first-rounder Ian Clarkin growing up in San Diego, Katoh elevated his draft stock with an outstanding performance at the Area Code Games in 2012. He followed that with a strong senior year at Rancho Bernardo High, posting a .451 average and eight homers. The Yankees took him in the second round and quickly inked him for $845,700. Katoh continued to rake in pro ball, tying for the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League home run lead (six) while pacing the circuit in triples (five) and ranking second in slugging (.522). Katoh is lean and strong, with plenty of strength in his forearms. He generates his thump despite choking up on the bat, and he has average power potential. He's a slick, graceful defender around the bag at second base, to the point that the Yankees may try him at shortstop in the future despite his below-average arm. He's a plus runner who's learning to translate his speed into steals. Katoh has patience at the plate, leading to both walks and strikeouts, and he was vulnerable to chasing the high fastball. The Yankees' last wave of middle infielders, 2010 draftees Cito Culver and Angelo Gumbs, hasn't progressed, so Katoh will face few obstacles if he produces. He will jump to low Class A Charleston for his full-season debut.

Katoh opened eyes at the Area Code Games last summer, ripping a triple off the right-field wall at cavernous Blair Field. His stock continued to rise during a big senior year this spring, and he was batting .451 with 12 doubles and eight home runs, belying his reputation as a contact-oriented hitter. In the past, Katoh showed a tendency to hit everything to the opposite field, but he has sneaky strength in his wiry frame and could grow into fringe-average power. He's a tough out with a knack for putting the ball in play. When he hits the ball on the ground, his plus speed gives him a good chance to beat out infield singles. Katoh is the rare high school second baseman who's a legitimate pro prospect. His below-average arm is inadequate for shortstop but playable at second. His excellent athleticism is also an asset at second, where he has good range, smooth actions, sure hands and a quick release. Katoh is a good student who is committed to UCLA and regarded as a tough sign, so he was generating top-three-rounds buzz late in the spring, though the scouting consensus has him lower.

It?s rare to find a high school second baseman who?s a legitimate prospect, but Katoh found himself rising up teams? boards as the draft approached. After signing with the Yankees for $845,700 as their second-round pick, he tied for the GCL lead with six home runs and ranked second in the league in slugging (.522). Katoh?s plate discipline and bat-to-ball ability make him a difficult out. He works the count, uses the whole field and has plus speed, which helps him hit for average and get on base at a high clip. While he doesn?t project as a major home-run threat, he showed encouraging pop in his debut and could have average power. Katoh?s an excellent athlete with good range, smooth actions and clean hands. He?s a quality defensive second baseman, but his below-average arm prevents him from playing shortstop, though he does have a quick release.